5 Unique Holiday Cultural Traditions from Around the World

Introduction:

The holiday season is a time of traditions, with each culture adding its unique touch to the festivities. In this article, we will explore 5 unique holiday traditions from around the world that celebrates love, joy, and bonding.

1) La Befana – Italy:

La Befana is an Italian Christmas tradition. Legend has it that Befana, an old lady, was visited by the three wise men. They asked for her help in finding the baby Jesus. She agreed to join them, but she couldn’t find Jesus hence she gives gifts to all children, hoping that one of them will be Him. Every year on January 6, children in Italy hang up stockings for La Befana to fill with presents. The tradition is so popular that even an annual festival is held in honor of this beloved holiday character.

2) KFC – Japan:

It may sound strange, but in Japan, Christmas is all about KFC. The tradition of eating KFC on Christmas day began in Japan in 1974 when a group of foreigners couldn’t find turkey or chicken for their Christmas meal. KFC saw this as a business opportunity and launched the ‘Kentucky for Christmas’ campaign. Today, millions of Japanese families enjoy KFC as a holiday tradition; some even order their meal months in advance!

3) Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Mexico:

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time when families remember their loved ones who have passed away by building colourful altars called ‘Ofrendas’. The altars are decorated with flowers, candles, pictures, and food that the deceased loved. Families also visit cemeteries and graves to remember their loved ones, bringing food and drinks to share with them.

4) Yule Lads – Iceland:

Icelandic children wait eagerly for Christmas every year not just because of the presents, but also for the Yule Lads – a group of 13 mischievous mythical creatures who live in the mountains. The Yule Lads come down to visit the towns each night before Christmas. Each one has his peculiarities and brings small presents or candy for well-behaved children. Misbehaved kids, on the other hand, are left with potatoes.

5) Onion Drop – Greece:

In Greece, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with Vasilopita, a cake baked with a hidden coin inside. The tradition involves cutting the cake and whoever receives the piece with the coin is believed to have good luck for the coming year. But in the town of Ierapetra, the New Year’s tradition involves throwing onions off the church bell towers. People gather around the bell towers to catch the onions, and it’s considered a good omen for the year ahead.

Conclusion:

These unique holiday traditions from around the world are reminders of the beauty of diversity and the importance of keeping our culture alive. Despite coming from different parts of the world, these traditions share a common theme: they bring people together. Whether it’s sharing a meal, remembering loved ones, or catching onions, these traditions are about love, joy, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

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